114 
PROCEEDINGS OF THE PERTHSHIRE SOCIETY OF NATURAL SCIENCE. 
lacustris, and Juncus supinus —the latter being a rush 
which grows both in damp places, where it produces 
flowers, and in comparatively deep water, where it never 
flowers. Another plant which was found in sparing 
quantity was a moss, Fontinalis antipyretica. Of animals 
very few species were seen, but those that came under 
observation were carefully noted, as it was desirable to 
ascertain, if possible, to what food the trout of the loch 
owed their rich quality. It is stated that the Loch Leven 
trout feed upon a minute species of crustacean (which 
may be broadly stated to be a kind of fresh-water shrimp)> 
and it seems probable that the Loch Ordie trout have a 
similar food, as a similar crustacean was noticed on Satur¬ 
day to occur in vast numbers on the leaves of the pond 
weed, Potamogeton perfoliatus, on which they seem to 
deposit their eggs. The name of the animal has not yet 
been determined, but it is possible that it is not confined 
to this special weed. At the same time if it is proved 
that it is a favourite food of the trout (and this may be 
ascertained by dissecting a few fish), it may be advisable 
to encourage the growth of the Potamogeton, which, as far 
as could be seen, was not as abundant as it might have 
been. Of fresh-water shells, which in some lochs are re¬ 
puted to be a favourite food of trout, only a single speci¬ 
men was noticed, viz., a small example of Physa fontinalis. 
On the whole, the loch did not produce so much as it was 
expected, though, as will have been perceived, it was not 
without its points of interest. 
The hill party reported nothing of any special interest’ 
though the members were rewarded for their climb by a 
magnificent view. After the investigation of the loch was 
completed, it was decided to visit some marshes that had 
attracted attention during the drive up. Before setting 
out to do this, however, one of the party brought in a very 
extraordinary malformation of the common foxglove, in 
which not only several of the flowers were united to form 
one gigantic blossom, but this blossom contained in its 
heart another blossom. The specimen had, in addition’ 
several other points of interest. On the way to the 
marsh just alluded to, the Dowally Lochs were passed’ 
and a short time spent in examining them. The most 
noticeable features about these little lochans is the great 
quantity of the water-lobelia which adorn the margins. 
This plant, which inhabits lakes in mountain districts, has 
a rosette of leaves at the bottom of the water, from which 
rosette arises a brownish-red leafless stem bearing the pale 
blue flowers above the water. Another plant noticed was 
the small flowered form of the white water-lily. This 
form is the native one in the Highlands; and it seems some¬ 
what doubtful whether the large flowered southern form 
has not been planted in all the localities where it occurs in 
Perthshire. The marsh on being examined turned out to 
be disappointingly unproductive, and when the carriages 
came up the party returned to Dunkeld, having, even if 
they did not get all they expected, enjoyed a very pleasant 
day. 
September 1st. 
5. To Kincardine Glen. 
Most travellers by rail between Perth and Stirling must 
be familiar with the picturesque ravine crossed by the line 
near Auchterarder, and known as Kincardine Glen, but 
probably very few of the multitudes who have thus cast 
admiring glances into it have ever had an opportunity of 
exploring its beauties. By the kind permission of Mr 
Johnstone of Kincardine Castle, the Perthshire Society of 
Natural Science arranged an exploration of the Glen on 
Saturday last, and found no reason to regret the selection 
of that place for the last excursion of the season. Pro¬ 
ceeding to Auchterarder Station, a short walk (under the 
guidance of Mr Martin, of Aberuthven, the conductor of 
the excursion), landed the party in the Glen, but not 
before a rather rare, though only a naturalised plant, had 
been found, the spotted dead-nettle (Lamium maculatum), 
a pretty plant with purplish flowers and nettle-shaped 
leaves of a bright green, spotted with crimson and marked 
by a snow-white longitudinal blotch. Curiously enough, 
later in the day another form of the same plant was found, 
but with white flowers and the leaves without the crimson 
spots. The plant is not a native but an escape from old 
gardens. The Glen was found to be even more picturesque 
than the view from the railway indicated. Through it the 
little River Ruthven meanders, its banks sometimes 
thickly wooded, sometimes only dotted with trees or 
bushes, or opening into meadow-like glades. The sides of 
the Glen are very steep, and even, in some places, rocky, 
and adorned with a thick clothing of mixed wood. Here 
and there a tributary burn rushes down the sides making 
on the way many pretty little waterfalls. From the 
appearance of the Glen the hope that it would be found 
prolific in local plants was excited, and though, from the 
time of year, as well as the hurry with which the ground 
had to be gone over, doubtless many things escaped notice, 
it was found that appearances did not deceive. Amongst 
